Vince Taylor

Born Brian Maurice Holden on 14th July 1939 in London. His family decided to move to the USA and they settled in New Jersey, where his father found work in the mines. In college, Brian sang at private parties, imitating his idols Elvis Presley and Bill Haley. In 1955, his sister married the co-founder of the firm Hanna / Barbera and the entire family moved to California. Passionate about Rock'n'Roll music, Brian performed increasingly often in clubs there. During a trip to New York, he discovered the rock fever incited by Eddie Cochran and Buddy Holly.

He went to London and discovered the famous '2 I's' coffee bar. Brian started up his own band called The Playboys and named himself 'Vince Taylor'. His first hits came in 1960 and International success followed during their 1961 European tour. In 1962, Vince and the Playboys were at the height of their glory but then he began spouting mysticism, accentuated by an explosive mix of alcohol and drugs. He fell in a downward spiral to oblivion.

In 1983, Taylor moved to Switzerland in an attempt to break with his past. He married that same year in Epalinges, near Lausanne, later moving to Lutry on the shores of Lake Geneva. He tried many come back appearances but with no success. He died in Lutry on 28th August 1991.

Band members (several line-up changes): Alan Le Clare - pianist (born Alan Cocks, 26.8.1938, in Dulwich, S.E London); Brian Bennett drums (born Anthony Brian Bennett, 9/2/1940, in Palmers Green, North London) (later in The Shadows); Tony Sheridan guitar, vocals (born 1940 see above); Tex Makins bass player (born Anthony Paul Makins, 3/7/1940, in Wembley, Middlesex); 'Liquorice' Locking bass (born Brian Locking, 22/12/1940, in Bedworth, Warwickshire) (later in The Shadows); Tony Harvey guitar (born Anthony Harvey, in 1940 died 23/3/1993); Johnny Vance bass player (born David John Cobb, in 1940, in Portsmouth, Hampshire); Bobbie Clarke / Woodman drums (born Robert William Woodman, 13/6/1941, in Coventry, Warwickshire); Tony Meehan drums (born Daniel Joseph Anthony Meehan, 22/3/1943, at the New End Hospital, New End, Hampstead, North-west London died 28/11/2005, at St Mary's Hospital, South Wharf Road, Paddington, West London) (later in The Shadows).

MIDAS TOUCH

Our book "John Barry - The Man With the Midas Touch" is now only available for purchase at a reduced price via this website.

Over 300 pages in length, with a foreword by Don Black, the hardcover book includes many unique photos, in both black & white and colour. Order now!

UK customers who order the book before Brexit is complete will receive a free copy of the CD -- John Barry - The Early Years -- the only CD to include all the tracks John recorded for the Chappell Music Library in 1959.

Apologies that due to the high cost of postage we can only make this offer to UK residents.